99 S70T5 going into limp mode,no codes.

c70_lindsay · Post by **c70_lindsay** » 17 May 2016, 13:30

My 99 S70 T5 is going into limp mode. I suspect ETM of MAF issues. I have spent easily two hours reading the massive amounts of info about these issues on this forum, and was hoping for some clarification.

The car starts runs/idles fine. If I drive it for awhile then shut it off and restart it, it idles very badly then goes into limp mode. I tried moving the accelerator pedal back and forth(It wouldn't rev past about 1500rpm) and would only go about 25km/hr. I tried rowing through the gears (auto trans) and shutting it off and turning on agail while stopped at red lights. I limped it to where I was going shut it off for about a minute, restarted it and it was fine. On the way home, same thing. ran fine till I stopped for groceries, then like limp mode when I restarted it. All the while no codes showing up. It seems to happen more in warmer weather (75f+) but that could me my imagination. The first symptom was rough idle when I ran it then shut it off and restarted it, but it would be fine once in gear and on the road.

I would like to go over the MAF first, cause it's easier an cheaper. What are the odds its the MAF vs ETM? I have heard unplugging the maf helps. But again am looking for some clarification. Do I unplug the Maf with the engine running or not? How will it run with the maf unplugged? I read it will smooth out the rough idle, but will the car run somewhat normally or will it idle fine but still go into limp mode? I am currently not working so wanna fix this on the cheap even if it is temporary till I am in better finances.

As always thanks ahead of time for the help!~Tim

Sommerfeldt · Post by **Sommerfeldt** » 17 May 2016, 14:50

Don't unplug the MAF while your engine is running. Stop the engine, unplug, then start it again.

Limp mode means that there has to be codes set. How did you get the codes read? Ideally, you should limp it to a Volvo dealer and have them read it out for you - generic readers will usually not get all your codes.

- S

Post by **abscate** » 17 May 2016, 14:58

Much more likely ETM than MAF. A MAF failure will default to a lookup,table from which the car will run quite well.

c70_lindsay · Post by **c70_lindsay** » 17 May 2016, 15:06

abscate wrote:Much more likely ETM than MAF. A MAF failure will default to a lookup,table from which the car will run quite well.

I believe you, but that's what I'm afraid of. I just want to rule out the maf 100% before I go after the ETM due to the cost and the fact I am on very limited funds. If I do the unplug the MAF trick do I do it with the engine running or do I shut off the engine while I unplug it. If I want to clean the MAF do I need Maf cleaner or will carb cleaner work?

c70_lindsay · Post by **c70_lindsay** » 17 May 2016, 15:11

Sommerfeldt wrote:Don't unplug the MAF while your engine is running. Stop the engine, unplug, then start it again.

Limp mode means that there has to be codes set. How did you get the codes read? Ideally, you should limp it to a Volvo dealer and have them read it out for you - generic readers will usually not get all your codes.

- S

Thanks! Sorry I didn't see this before I reponded to Abscate. I haven't put it on a code reader, I meant there is no engine or etm lights or anything like that on the dash. And right about know I am about ready to light the car on fire before I take it to a volvo dealer.

Post by **abscate** » 17 May 2016, 22:04

The price of dating the beautiful ME7 system is occasionally having to visit her father for software.

You can get the eTM dealt with, if needed for about 400+100 for hardware and software, respectively.

c70_lindsay · Post by **c70_lindsay** » 17 May 2016, 22:15

abscate wrote:The price of dating the beautiful ME7 system is occasionally having to visit her father for software.

You can get the eTM dealt with, if needed for about 400+100 for hardware and software, respectively.

Ya it's not my first rodeo. I am out work and trying to fix this problem as cheap as possible. No offence abscate but you are not being helpful at all. Unless you can give me some actual technical info...............

RigsPGT · Post by **RigsPGT** » 17 May 2016, 22:40

I had the ETM issue when I first purchased the 99 T5 and got it on Ebay for $140 shipped with a 2014 yellow sticker. Fortunately for me the ETM was plug and play so no trip to the dealer. I also replaced the MAF right after the ETM with a used OEM one and have been driving the car for 12k miles worry free on that aspect.
If I was you, I'd start hunting Ebay for a turbo ETM or look up junkyards near you. LKQ has a neat website where you can check online the cars in the lot before you take the trip there. I also suggest taking the part number off of your MAF and start looking around for a used one.

RigsPGT · Post by **RigsPGT** » 17 May 2016, 22:44

oops, just saw you're in Canada and I'm not sure if you guys have LKQs but either way, look up online or local yards. Another useful website I've used in the past for my 325ix is car-part and they look up yards in the states and Canada as well.

Post by **abscate** » 18 May 2016, 05:26

There are a lot of posts on this but getting a junkyard ETM to bolt in and play without software seems to a roughly 50-50 chance proposition even with matching part numbers. Software has to match too.

It's very possible both MAF and ETM are bad too, so ruling one out might be fruitless.

On the cheap, scan the Help forum for a VIDA MVS member near you.

I'm not offended, but when you ask really basic questions about disconnecting the MAF I'm going to point out there probably is not a cheap fix to even diagnosing ypur problem, let alone solving it. That's the pain of the 1999-2001 models